A Southampton school turned its playground into a farm for the day to encourage pupils to write creatively and eat healthily.

Weston Park Primary School saw its playground transform into a larger-than-life farm as pupils from all year groups got to interact with donkeys, goats, and chickens up-close.

For some students, it was the first time they had seen the animals.

The unique event was designed to get the children to write creative stories based on the title ‘The Day the Animals Took Over the School,’ with a selection of the stories to be read out in assembly for everyone to hear, with the animals as the main characters.

Headteacher of Weston Park Primary School, James Wiltshire, said: “Some of the children haven’t seen these animals before, they’ve certainly not seen them in their school before and the excitement this morning when the animals arrived was something else.

“The animals have come from Miller’s Ark, a mobile farm that visits schools. It’s been an undertaking, and we did try and keep it a secret for as long as we could.

“It’s caused a real palpable excitement for the children here today, hopefully it's something they’ll remember and talk about for a long time, and they’ll be able to write lots of creative stories with descriptive language about what they’ve seen today.”

Deputy head boy, Max, stroking one of the donkey's at Weston Park Primary School (Image: Newsquest) READ MORE: Oasis Academy Sholing graded after Ofsted inspectors visit

Year 6 pupil and head girl of Weston Park Primary School, Ire, said: “It’s been really nice, my favourite part is seeing the donkeys and lambs because they’re really gentle.”

Year 5 student, Nevaeh, added: “I love animals and wildlife, so it’s great to be able to see the animals in school.”

Food redistribution charity The Big Difference also took part in the event, creating a pop-up farm shop where parents and students could take home fresh food.

Sanjay Mall, CEO of The Big Difference, said: “Today has been a great opportunity to work in partnership with the school and offer fresh food to the parents.

“I think we’re now the biggest organisation in the city, for what we do by a long way, today you’re able to see first-hand the difference it can make.”